In my previous letter
I mentioned that I was going to feature some potjiekos recipes in this
letter, but looking through all the recipes that I received by email over
the past few years, I came across a collection titled "Proudly South
African". In those days I didn't make note of who sent what, so if you
recognize your recipes, thanks a lot for sending them to me! Scroll down
for some Proudly South African Recipes! And believe me, these are about as
traditional as they come!

Miss Beatrice, the
church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was
admired for her
sweetness and kindness to all. One afternoon the pastor came to call on
her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.

She invited him to
have a seat while she prepared tea. As he sat facing her old Hammond
organ, the young
minister noticed a cut-glass bowl sitting on top of it. The bowl was
filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom! When
she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat. The pastor tried to
stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but
soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.

"Miss Beatrice", he
said, "I wonder if you would tell me about this?" pointing to the
bowl.

"Oh, yes," she
replied, "Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months
ago and I found this
little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the
organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you
know I haven't had the flu all winter."

Never buy another recipe
book again.
I have put together my South African Traditional Recipes in English and
Afrikaans plus another 36 recipe eBooks on one CD.
Click hereto take a look and also get your free Low Fat recipe
eBook

Flea
Market

I have often been asked if I would be willing to place advertisements
on my site. I decided to start a classifieds section where you can
place ads for free.. Just click the link below and browse around or
place an ad.

Are you using Internet Explorer? Why not give Firefox a try?I notice that my
spyware intrusions have reduced drastically since using Firefox!

How
true this is.......

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple
creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding
plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be
President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a
water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you
the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another
gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to
stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never
stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional
well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister,
or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about
tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all
your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of
thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be
your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more
than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are
unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its
original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You
only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big
hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can
wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a
pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache..
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25
minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

Freebie -
How many ways can one prepare Pumpkin Pie?
Right click here and download your free eBook - Pumpkin Pies and
More...This eBook is also on my
Recipe CD(see above)

In the
previous issue I tried to trace the origin of Coke.
Does anyone know when milk shakes originated? I will try and find out!

Here is an
interesting article from
www.southafrica.info I will be using more articles from their
interesting website in future letters. Do yourself a favour and go browse
around theis great site

The Afrikaner
kitchen

South African dried fruit is as famous as its dried meat, and South
African preserves are unbeatable. Claimed by everyone but probably handed
down by the Afrikaners' French forebears, preserves, known as konfyt -
probably from the French confiture - feature jewel-like pieces of
watermelon rind, quince or other hard fruit, soaked in lime water, then
cooked in sugar syrup and spices, presented in syrup and eaten on their
own. Green fig is one of the best-known and most delicious, steeped in a
syrup seasoned with cinnamon and dried ginger.

South African puddings generally are superb, and extremely sweet, and the
legacy of all its inhabitants, from English trifle to Afrikaner melktert.

So, to some extent, are the foods most commonly attributed to the
Afrikaner: based on Dutch cuisine, with contributions from French and
German immigrant communities, with a large dollop of Cape Malay, and
tempered by decades of trekking.

Potjiekos, for example, says food writer and restaurateur Peter Veldsman,
who invented the term, has been part of South African life since the first
settlement at the Cape. "In those days, food was cooked in an open hearth
in the kitchen in a black cast-iron pot with legs so that the coals could
be scraped under the pot," he notes in Flavours of South Africa. Later,
meat, vegetables and spices piled into a three-legged iron pot and cooked
for quite a long time over a fire was the perfect way for trek farmers to
keep body and soul together. When camp was made, game was stewed, or
mutton, goat or old oxen; the pot, its contents protected by a heavy layer
of fat, was hooked under the wagon when camp was struck, then unhooked at
the next stop and put on the fire.

The Afrikaner's traditional way with vegetables and fruit - baked pumpkin
sweetened with golden syrup or honey, spiced sun-dried peaches stewed with
cinnamon, cloves, allspice and sugar, or baby marrows and braised onions -
all brighten a meal.

Boerewors - farmers' sausage - is another standard Afrikaner dish, the
legacy of German settlers who, with - largely - Dutch and French
immigrants, formed Afrikaner ancestry. Exceptionally fat, boerewors, an
essential at any braai, is made usually of beef, pork, coriander and other
spices.

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 ºC and spray a 26 x 9 cm loaf tin with non-stick
spray. Chop the dates finely and place in a mixing bowl along with the
butter and bicarbonate of soda. Pour the boiling water over the tea bag
and leave to draw until strong. Pour the tea over the dates and set aside
to cool. Cream the egg and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the sultanas,
oats, bran, nuts, apple and dates and sift over the flour, baking powder
and salt. Mix and turn the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Bake for
about 1 hour until done. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the
loaf tin. Turn out, slice and serve with butter. Makes 1 large loaf.

Thanks, Elzeth for the following:

Keep this on the Fridge
Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1
cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as
massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1
tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two
tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly
-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.(Note:
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine is not the same..and contains aspirin,
which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.)

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey
and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin
sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from
loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to
the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just
saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The
phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Tomato paste boil cure....cover the boil with Tomato paste as a compress.
The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters...To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few
drops of Listerine ... a powerful antiseptic.

White vinegar to heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and
apply it to the bruise for 1 hour.The vinegar reduces the blueness and
speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly. Dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops
to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid
skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor... Next time your dog comes in from the rain,
simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly
making your dog smell pringtime fresh.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief....It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2
cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave
for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for
soothing relief from arthritis pain.

A
Woman's Poem

He didn't like the casserole
And he didn't like my cake.
My biscuits were too hard...
Not like his mother used to make.

I didn't perk the coffee right
He didn't like the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.

I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
Then I turned around and smacked him...
Like his Mother used to do.

Glenacres Superspar newsletter
recipe.

Pizza anyone? A
favourite take-out in South Africa I personally love a pizza every now and
then!

1. Prepare the dough in the pizza pan, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with
herbs and bake at 230°C for 8 minutes
2. Sprinkle with the cheese and continue to bake until golden brown
3. While the dough bakes, melt and heat the butter until very hot, set
aside
4. Place the egg yolks in a double boiler over a low heat
5. Add the lemon juice slowly, making sure it's thoroughly mixed
6. Remove from the heat and add the hot butter and cayenne pepper
7. Poach the eggs in an egg poacher
8. Top the dough with bacon slices, and arrange the eggs around the dough
equally
9. Smother each egg with sauce and grill until golden brown
10. Remove and garnish each egg with a sprinkle of parsley

1. Dissolve 5ml sugar and yeast in warm water and let it soften for 10
minutes
2. In a saucepan combine the milk, remaining sugar, salt and butter.
Scald, then cool. Transfer to a mixing bowl
3. Stir in the yeast mixture and 750ml flour, and beat for 2 minutes
4. Cover, and allow to rise for 1 hour, then beat in the remaining flour,
egg and heavy cream
5. Knead in a mixer for 8 minutes, cover and allow to rise
6. Divide the dough evenly into either two or four and place onto
well-greased pans.
7. Allow to rise for 15 minutes, then spread the dough evenly over the
pans with your fingertips, covering the whole pan

Glenacres
Superspar sends out a really nice newsletter full of super recipes. To
subscribe,
click here and send the blank email.

Wacky Sarmie of the Month!

Go take a look at
my
Wacky Sarmies page, there are some great sarmie ideas!

Gip Moore, North Pole, AlaskaPeanut butter and mayo on two slices of white bread Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches

Carmen Moore, North Pole, AlaskaSmashed baked bean sandwich! You mash up the baked beans and spread it on
bread!
Sardines mushed around with mustard and onions and sweet pickles

A Blast
From the Past

1910 - The Union of South Africa is established, Halleys
Comet returns after a 75 year absence, Mark Twain dies, neon lighting
is used for the first time, an English soccer team tours South
Africa winning all 23 matches at an average of more than six goals a
game and the Oxo cube is born.

Bush BuzzNature is wonderful. I envy the jobs of the game rangers and their
wealth of bush knowledge. I have often wondered where one can read up
on all the interesting facts. I would like to make this a regular feature of
this newsletter, if you are able to contribute or would like to
comment on the contribution below, please
email me.

Whenever we visit the Kruger National Park, a highlight is spotting a
family of Ground Hornbills. I always try and get closeup photos as
they have the most beautiful eyes!

The Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus
leadbeateri is the largest of 58 Hornbill species distributed
mainly in Asia, India and Africa. Ground Hornbills are large,
conspicuous turkey-sized birds with black plumage and very
characteristic red facial skin.

The Southern Ground Hornbills are a long-lived bird, and are the
largest co-operative breeding birds in the world (and as such, are of
great interest to science and scientists). They live in-groups of 2-12
individuals that occupy and vigorously defend large territories of up
to 100 square kilometres. Groups can either consist of a single
breeding pair or a large group with a dominant breeding pair with
helpers of various ages.

Ground Hornbills spend most of their time
searching slowly along the ground for food. They are predominantly
carnivorous, feeding on a large range of insects, reptiles,
amphibians, and small to medium sized mammals.

Breeding

Sexes look alike, but once they are fully
mature, the males have a fully red facial skin, while the female has a
patch of violet blue below the bill, which in some cases can cover
most of the lower parts facial skin.

Ground Hornbills nest in natural holes in large
trees or on cliffs. In 80% of clutches, the breeding female lays two
eggs and the first egg is laid three to five days before the second.
Since incubation commences with the first egg, the chicks hatch 3 - 5
days apart. The older chick may weigh 250g by the time the second
hatched chick hatches, at about 60g. The eldest chick always
out-competes its younger sibling for food and the younger always dies
of starvation within a few days from hatching.

The redundant, second-hatched chick can
therefore be removed with no effect on the natural dynamics of the
wild population. It can then be hand-reared and made available for
re-introduction. This is a factor, which the Ground Hornbill Project
is now attempting to turn into a “positive” attribute, as is described
below.

Southern Ground Hornbills in South Africa

Historically,
Ground Hornbills in South Africa probably occurred in all areas to the
north and east of the highveld grasslands. Wahlberg, the Swedish
museum collector, obtained specimens 150 years ago along the Apies
River at Pretoria and along the Crocodile River near the present-day
Hartebeestepoort Dam. Only 50 years ago, groups of hornbills lived at
Nylsvlei, Northam, Haenertsberg and Pilgrim’s Rest in Northern
Province. Today they are only found from the eastern lowveld of
Mpumalanga to the Limpopo Valley of Northern Province, and throughout
the low- and middleveld areas of KwaZulu-Natal into the Eastern Cape
(Barnes, in press, Red Data Book of South African Birds).

Population In Decline

Ground Hornbills have disappeared from about
70%-75% of their previous range in South Africa and local extinction
continue to be reported. Information at hand indicates drastic decline
in GH numbers all over Southern Africa. It is on this basis that the
Ground Hornbill has been listed as “Vulnerable” in the 2000 edition of
the Red Data Book of South African Birds.

The principle causes of their decline appear to
be habitat alteration, in particular loss of large trees used for nest
sites. In addition, they often suffer direct persecution, partly
because their territoriality leads them to attack their reflection in
and break farmhouse windows. They also often suffer secondary
poisoning, due to their foraging habits of searching slowly and
methodically along the ground (they will readily feed on dying animals
and even carcasses).

Fortunately, they are generally revered by
indigenous African cultures and have been protected and continue to
exist in several rural areas and historical homelands, although
certain of their body parts are reported to be used in traditional
medicine practices. All the above-mentioned threats, combined with
natural enemies and the fact that Ground Hornbills suffer from a
natural low-productivity rate, might bring the species to the verge of
extinction.

Read about the
Hornbill Project, see featured website below:

The Herb
Section - COMFREY

Comfrey is commonly known as "knit-bone" because of it's capacity
to aid in the healing of bones.
This is the miracle worker of all herbs, and a must for every
household, so if you don't have some in your garden, beg, borrow
or steal some from a friend and plant it a.s.a.p. Comfrey loves
sun or partial shade, and is very easy to grow, growing from a
piece of the root. It grows between 30 and 60cm and the fresh
leaves can be picked any time, used fresh or dried. Comfrey is
ideal for badly drained or swampy ground. It is excellent in the
compost heap, as it breaks down quickly and adds nourishing
minerals to the compost. Comfrey is beneficial to all plants as it
brings up rich trace elements, and provides moisture and shade
shelter to other plants nearby.

Domestic uses:
Leaves, soaked in water for 4 weeks make an excellent fertilizer
for tomatoes and potatoes. The leaves can also be chopped as a
mulch, but wait for at least 48 hours after picking. Fresh leaves
may be boiled to produce a rich golden fabric dye.

Cosmetic uses:
Add a leaf and root of comfrey to baths and lotions to soften the
skin

Medicinal uses:
Comfrey has great medicinal values, but recent research has shown
it to damage the liver, so consult your doctor before taking it
internally.
Comfrey contains allantoin, which helps with healing. Fresh
comfrey rubbed on the skin soothes insect bites and repels
insects.
Comfrey root may be used as a remedy for gout - Boil 3 tablespoons
of well washed root in four cups of water for 20 minutes. Steep,
then strain the bottle. Refrigerate, and take a small wineglassful
3 times a day for a maximum of 3 days, then miss 2 days and
continue, but not for more than 10 days.
Ulcers, burns, bruises and ruptures - soften 3 - 4 chopped leaves
in hot water and apply to the affected areas on a square of lint.
Cover with plastic and bandage in place.
For skin irritations, make a comfrey lotion. Warm equal quantities
of chopped comfrey and aqueous cream for 20 minutes, then strain
into sterilised jars.

Culinary uses:
Young leaves may be chopped into salads, soups and stews.
Coat young leaves in batter, fry in oil and serve with salt and
pepper.
The stem can be blanched and cooked like asparagus.
Do not eat comfrey more than once a week.

Thanks to everyone who has mailed us fridge magnets depicting your
State, City or Country. If you collect fridge magnets, I will gladly
swop with you!
Please email me
and we can make arrangements. Thanx a lot!

Making Diabetic Cooking Easy.
The book contains 177 recipes and is available for only R65. Overseas
payments also accepted via Paypal. Contact Annie at 0822946799 or by email at anna_se_kombuis@yahoo.comThere is no
delay or postage to be paid as the book is emailed to you.

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 *C for 20-25 minutes. Turn onto
a wire rack to cool.

TIP

When making jam tarts, put spoonfuls of apricot jam into a plastic
bag containing flour. Shake the bag until the jam is well coated
with flour, then place onto pastry. This will ensure that the jam
does not "leak" during baking.

KOEKSISTERS

(Makes 48)

SYRUP

6 x 250 ml sugar (1,2 kg)

750 ml water

3 ml cream of tartar

5 ml cold water

3 ml ground ginger

1 cinnamon stick or 1 ml ground cinnamon

rind of one lemon

20 ml lemon juice

DOUGH

4 x 250 ml Snowflake cake flour (560 g)

20 ml baking powder

5 ml salt

30 ml butter

15 ml sugar

2 extra large eggs

about 200 ml water

cooking oil for frying

1. For syrup: In a large saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the water
and bring to the boil.

2. Mix cream of tartar and cold water together and add to the
syrup. Add ginger,cinnamon, lemon rind and lemon juice.

3. Boil for 10 minutes and leave to cool. Refrigerate until very
cold - overnight, if

possible.

4. For dough: Sift dry ingredients together. Rub in margarine
until the mixture

resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add sugar.

5. Beat eggs with 200 ml water and add to dry ingredients, mixing
to a soft dough.

Add more water if necessary.

6. Knead the dough lightly for a few minutes, until smooth. Cover
with plastic wrap

3. Heat water in a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil.
Take spoonfuls of dumplings and spoon into water. Place lid on.
Boil for 10 - 12 minutes, without removing lid.

4. Take dumplings out of and place in bowl. Sprinkle cinnamon
sugar over. Repeat with remaining dumplings in saucepan.

5. Sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients, add to heavy-based saucepan
and bring to the boil and pour over dumplings.

TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN FRITTERS

(Makes 18 depending on size)

500 ml cooked, mashed pumpkin (about 450 g)

125 ml Snowflake cake flour (70 g)

5 ml baking powder

2 ml salt

2 extra large eggs, beaten

about 45 ml milk

cinnamon sugar

cooking oil for frying

1. Mix pumpkin, flour, baking powder and salt together.

2. Add eggs and enough milk to form a batter.

3. Shallow-fry spoonfuls of mixture in hot oil on both sides,
until brown.

4. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Tip

To make cinnamon sugar, mix 100 ml sugar with 10 ml ground
cinnamon

VETKOEK

(Makes 25, depending on size)

1 kg Snowflake Cake Flour

10 ml salt

30 ml sugar

10 g instant dry yeast (1 sachet)

30 ml cooking oil

±650 - 750 ml lukewarm water

1. Sift flour and salt together. Add sugar and dry yeast. Make a
hollow in the flour mixture and add enough lukewarm water and oil
to make a sticky dough. Cover the mixture and leave for about 5
minutes to rise.

2. Knock off and divide into about 25 balls. Leave to stand for
about 10 minutes to rise. Bake in medium warm oil turning
occasionally until golden brown.